Never thought we’d see Alicia Keys become a pop star but that’s exactly what’s happened in the last 12 months… The new single from her album, which we didn’t even bother to pick up sounds just like something Bruno would record for himself.. What happened to her?

We do like the song and the video, incredibly relatable and intimate, something we’ve come to expect from Alicia. The album is solid but it doesn’t stand up to the sh** she was doing 6 to 10 years ago… We had to see creativity and inspiration drown out of an artist that’s so incredibly talented, that’s made such quality pieces in the past.. We want her to find her way, her voice and the image she had in 06 or 07. The corporate lesbian sh** isn’t working for us. Love u Alicia ❤

OMG!! Seems crazy for ppl with nearly zeroo experience and no school to assume roles like this at major companies. Pharrell is the creative director at Karmaloop and Alicia’s husband, Swizz Beatz has similar roles at both Rebok and Aston Martin. Sometimes celebrity is enough to push you through the competition! We’re so proud of Alicia, een though her album didn’t live up to out expectations, she is becoming a business one, planting the seeds of an empire!

Our friends at RapUp report the following of Alicia’s new role at BlackBerry. Robert Rodriguez; director of 300 and Sin City has also be given a role within the couple along with a few other celebs. It appear BlackBerry is quite serious about competing with Apple and all the devices offered on the Android Market:

There’s nothing Alicia Keys can’t do. The “Girl on Fire” is stepping into a new role as BlackBerry’s Global Creative Director.

The Grammy-winning singer was on hand for the announcement today at RIM’s BlackBerry 10 launch event in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

In her new position, Keys will work closely with app developers, content creators, retailers, carriers, and the entertainment industry to further shape and enhance the BlackBerry 10 platform through music, books, film, and apps.

“Alicia Keys has come to BlackBerry because she believes in the product andtechnology, and subscribes to our overriding philosophy to ‘Keep Moving’: to empower people through mobile computing and communications,” saidBlackBerry President and CEO Thorsten Heins. “We are excited she will be bringing to us her enormous capabilities, as well as a vast network of relationships in the entertainment, social media and business communities, to help shape our brand and grow our business.”

Alicia shared her excitement over her new job. “I have been using theBlackBerry 10 for a few weeks now, and I’m truly inspired by its innovation,” she said. “It has entirely revolutionized the experience. I know the potential this platform has to help creative people be more productive, and help productive people be more creative. This is such an incredible age to be living in, with such profound advances in communications andtechnology. As Global Creative Director, my goal is to inspire creativity with this platform, and I’m so excited to jump right in.”

As part of BlackBerry’s “Keep Moving” Project, she plans to use the deviceto create a music video for each city she tours in on her “Set the World on Fire” tour, launching this March.

There’s nothing Alicia Keys can’t do. The “Girl on Fire” is stepping into a new role as BlackBerry’s Global Creative Director.

The Grammy-winning singer was on hand for the announcement today at RIM’s BlackBerry 10 launch event in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

In her new position, Keys will work closely with app developers, content creators, retailers, carriers, and the entertainment industry to further shape and enhance the BlackBerry 10 platform through music, books, film, and apps.

“Alicia Keys has come to BlackBerry because she believes in the product andtechnology, and subscribes to our overriding philosophy to ‘Keep Moving’: to empower people through mobile computing and communications,” saidBlackBerry President and CEO Thorsten Heins. “We are excited she will be bringing to us her enormous capabilities, as well as a vast network of relationships in the entertainment, social media and business communities, to help shape our brand and grow our business.”

Alicia shared her excitement over her new job. “I have been using theBlackBerry 10 for a few weeks now, and I’m truly inspired by its innovation,” she said. “It has entirely revolutionized the experience. I know the potential this platform has to help creative people be more productive, and help productive people be more creative. This is such an incredible age to be living in, with such profound advances in communications andtechnology. As Global Creative Director, my goal is to inspire creativity with this platform, and I’m so excited to jump right in.”

As part of BlackBerry’s “Keep Moving” Project, she plans to use the deviceto create a music video for each city she tours in on her “Set the World on Fire” tour, launching this March.

Hmmmmm….. “Girl”? We think “Woman On Fire” would have been a more fitting title for this 5th studio effort but we aren’t on payroll at J Records so….. lol… We love Alicia, love “New Day”, just hope this album is really about new beginning like she recently discussed via her website..

The first 2 albums were EPIC, timeless studio efforts but the last 2, while containing great music, seemed forced… We’re looking forward to hearing more from and about the project!